Awareness Initiatives

NRCDV eNewsletter: June/July 2014

The term elder abuse refers to any physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of an older person either within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust and/or when an older person is targeted based on age or disability (U.S. DOJ, 2013). Research estimates that approximately one in ten older adults living in their homes experience elder abuse each year (Acierno et al., 2010; Beach et al., 2010; Lifespan of Greater Rochester et al., 2011).

On June 15, 2014, for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), encourages individuals and organizations across our nation, states, territories and local communities to take a stand and to raise public awareness about elder abuse by utilizing the resources in their comprehensive toolkit. NCALL also offers helpful ideas and resources for raising awareness on June 15th and throughout the year.

This year’s theme reminds us that it only takes one individual, one action, to make a difference.

Updated for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2014) this special collection brings together selected materials related to preventing and responding to elder abuse, specifically domestic and sexual violence.

The PreventIPV project provides an opportunity to create and sustain a unified national prevention effort by promoting strategies, tools and lessons learned by state/territory and community-based prevention programs across the United States.

You are invited to explore and engage in the the newly launched PreventIPV.org online space, offering peer-driven resources and tools to support your prevention work.

On April 21st the NRCDV hosted a webinar for over 195 participants: Trauma-Informed Birth Support for Pregnant Survivors of Abuse. This interactive learning session was accompanied by the release of the new TA Guidance, Birth Doulas and Shelter Advocates: Creating Partnerships and Building Capacity (April 2014). Following the release of these two resources, the NRCDV was approached to present at various upcoming conferences on the intersection of pregnant women’s experience with abuse and providing trauma-informed support that enhances her safety, responds to abuse related triggers during labor and delivery, promotes her empowerment and respects her dignity during the childbirth experience. A few comments from webinar participants are below:

It provided a wealth of resources for us to start making connections on the local level. The webinar is useful as we expand our hospital advocacy for sexual assault survivors to include DV survivors presenting to the Emergency Department and Labor and Delivery.” – A Healthcare Professional

I will be more vigilant for signs of DV and make it a point to inquire about past and current experiences in order to enhance the level of service I provide. I will also be better prepared to refer to community resources that could help the family.” – A Birth Doula

Childhood Exposure to Violence Prevention and Awareness Week (April 21-27) marked the launch of an important new national initiative representing the voices and perspectives of adults who experienced domestic violence in childhood (AEDVC). Comprised of local, state and national advocates in the movement to end gender based violence who identify as AEDVC, the Leadership Forum envisions a movement that includes their perspectives and priorities in the provision of services, the development of policies, the direction of research and the general approach to effectively address and prevent domestic violence. Learn more here and follow the initiative on Facebook for updates and related information.

Many organizations and colleges have resources and plans in place to take on this issue. Some of our personal favorites highlight the voices and experiences of students, keeping the real focus of these strategies – a healthy, safe campus for all – front and center. Read on.

Effective interventions to address gender based violence within the Deaf community require, at the very least, ongoing training and education about Deaf culture, collaboration between the Deaf community and hearing allies, the development of appropriate policies and procedures, and the continued implementation of linguistically and culturally responsive services. Read on.

Skin-to-skin contact promotes bonding and offers a host of other benefits to babies, dads, and parenting couples. ICADV's Skin to Skin campaign invites men into nurturing caregiving relationships with their children.

NRCDV is proud to offer "My #1Thing," a new 4-part series for DVAM. Each Thursday in October, we will feature the stories from advocates, survivors, and other community members who are working to end gender-based violence.

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we're talking about the importance of civic engagement and highlighting the connections between how we vote and the policies that impact survivors’ lives. Check out our October blog post to learn more!